Who we are?
-
Focus on providing black young professionals ages 18-35 with access to specialized training and essential learning opportunities to prepare them for careers in public service and global diplomacy.
-
We see the creation of this Academy as a direct contribution and investment in the recognition, justice and development of Black communities, as outlined by the United Nations declaration of the Decade for People of African Descent.
-
A structured training mechanism that activates the Black youth voice at the individual level that directly impacts the systemic outcomes.
-
Aims to prepare participants to interface with regional, national and global policy issues ranging from climate change management to future of work in the digital age.
Click to meet our
Education – SDG 4: The BDA seeks to close experiential learning gaps that prevent access to policy actors for Black youth in Canada aspiring to be the next generation of policy leaders. The Academy recognizes that access to experiential learning opportunities have a direct impact on both the academic and professional trajectory of participants. Therefore, the Academy mitigates this barrier by hosting learning labs, conferences, internships, travel abroad opportunities and access to the network for relationship building as a mechanism to create social inclusion. Through these actions, the Academy ensures that Black youth and young professionals are on an equitable path to opportunities for advancement.
Employment – SDGs 5, 8: The domestic and international relations job sectors in Canada, especially those in the diplomacy space: negotiation, trade, development (humanitarian and economic), Justice and Strong equitable Institutions, National Security, Technology, Infrastructure, are often concealed and difficult to access. Furthermore, these areas continue to present gender-based inequity. The BDA seeks to uncover this hidden job market for Black youths and create a pathway for them to seek and excel in opportunities in these fields.
Representation on policy platforms – SDGs 10, 13, 16 and 17: The BDA seeks to inform policy positions on foreign policy at the national and international levels. Specifically, the mission of the Academy in this context is to champion Canada’s policy positions at High-Level meetings, G-series, World Economic and Climate Action forums. The Academy endeavors to position Black young people to excel in subject matter that is focused on multilateralism. In addition, the Academy pursues the advancement of Black diplomacy at the intersection of racial and ethnic identity, age, gender, differently abled and neurodiverse individuals and lived expertise in African descent diasporic concerns.
The UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent – SDG 10: The BDA is positioned to act in alignment with the modalities of the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. The Academy also prioritizes the themes of Recognition, Justice and Development in the context of domestic and foreign policy development.
TESTIMONIAL
Program/Admin Assistant
Esther Mustapha
2020
“I started volunteering at DYLOTT as a program /admin assistant in August 2020 during my postgraduate studies in project management. I was referred by an ex volunteer who told me her experience with the organization changed her life.
It has definitely changed my life too. As a volunteer with DYLOTT, I have been exposed to a large network of industry experts and real life experiences. I was opportune to attend the Montreal Model United Nations last November and it was an insightful experience. It was my first time but it was so intriguing seeing fellow young delegates negotiate and vote on different notions with high-level professionalism. This was eye-opening for me and taught me a lot about leadership and negotiation on a higher level.
Lastly, having this experience on my resume has gotten me so many interviews and also landed me a good job with a pioneer organization within 3 months of graduation. I have also grown within DYLOTT beyond being a volunteer and I’m always thankful that I made that decision then when I was in school.”
Fellow 2021
Keshana King
"The Black Diplomats Academy changed me as a person and a young professional. Through the learning labs, I gained so much insight into the many areas of diplomacy like trade, development and security. Meeting our partners as an Executive Council Member gave me a real life look into the art of building professional relationships. The connections I built with other fellows and mentors will last a lifetime. Overall, I've truly enjoyed the time I've spent as part of BDA!" - Keshana King
Fellow 2021
Mark Ngoran Nyuykighan
"I am very pleased to say that my experience with the Black Diplomats Academy has been excellent and I feel it is a privilege. My appreciation for the excellent work BDA is doing to uplift the Black Youth, especially in the domains of Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Community Development and the constant awareness the Academy is creating around the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent and paying close attention to its three main areas of focus; Recognition, Justice and Development. Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today through its Black Diplomats Academy is investing in a better future for Black Canadians to be precise and the World at large. The Academy is on a Journey to bring out the best in Young Black People and to instill in them the spirit of Black Excellence.
In the journey with BDA, I have actually seen desires been converted in to realty and how my innermost strength manifested in some sensitive aspects of the Society relating to Black People as a whole like Systemic Racism and Discrimination to name a few. It’s a great Privilege to be a part of its very first Cohort , The work creates a great Influence on the Society and changing minds of Young Black People for a brighter future and standing up to fill gaps in pertinent issues in the Society that relates directly to them and their way of life.
I give my best wishes and luck to the entire brilliant team of Young and dynamic Black People who are sacrificing a time in their live to fight for Justice, Recognition and Development of People of African Descent." - Mark Ngoran
AIM
Drive Legislative and Economic justice through the application of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, 16, and 17.
SERVICES
-
Weekly learning labs with direct access to global policy leaders.
-
Career development workshops and activities (career fair/CV review)
-
Black Diplomacy Global Summit
-
One to One mentoring with senior public sector leaders Internship opportunities with Global Affairs Canada
-
Travel abroad opportunities for representation on policy platforms such as Climate Change conferences (COP26)